PennLive asked readers last month what they thought of Harrisburg's new parking system, prompting hundreds of comments and questions.

PennLive also posted a list of parking tips to help drivers cut costs while visiting Harrisburg that generated additional questions about enforcement.

We posed some of the questions to officials from Standard Parking, the new parking contractor, who recently provided answers.

On Garage special rates:

Jon Kemp, regional manager for Standard Parking, clarified that the discounted evening rate at the River Street Garage (next to Sawyers) changes slightly on weekends.

The garage at 218 N. Second Street, charges a flat $5 fee after 5 p.m. every day. But on Friday and Saturday nights, drivers who arrive after 10 p.m. are charged a flat $10 rate. Drivers must exit by 5 a.m.

Kemp also outlined some other discounted rate programs offered at the River Street garage:

"Discounted parking programs are something we continue to explore," Kemp said. "As we install new equipment at the other facilities in the coming months, we expect to be able to construct similar products and programs at these facilities."

On the planned 88 metered spaces in Midtown:

"We expect to have the new Midtown meters on line sometime in 3rd quarter," Kemp said.

On drivers being able to move their vehicle after paying for parking:

The new multi-space meters are set up so that drivers pay for parking time, not specific parking spaces. That means drivers can relocate anywhere within the commercial business district if they have time remaining on a meter.

"This is the set up right now," Kemp said, leaving open the possibility that this could change.

On the convenience fee to extend by phone:

A PennLive reader asked about the fee charged to buy more parking time via smartphone.

Kemp said it costs 25 cents to extend parking time via smartphone. Paying a parking violation by phone carries a $3.50 service fee, he said.

On the coins accepted by the new multi-space meters:

A reader pointed out that the meters show illustrations of different-sized coins, creating the impression that different coins are accepted. But Kemp confirmed that the new meters accept only quarters or credit cards.

On enforcement:

A reader asked if enforcement officers' handheld devices alerted them when a vehicle was expired or nearing expiration. Kemp said the devices do not. Enforcement officers must type in license plate numbers to check vehicles.

Another reader asked if the officers have ticket quotas, to which Kemp said: "No."

On validations:

Several businesses, including many attorneys offices, a men's shop and a bank, have agreements with Standard Parking to validate customer parking, but no bars or restaurants at this point.

Businesses can create accounts with Standard Parking to provide free or discounted parking to their customers using "chaser tickets" that drivers can put into the garage pay stations. Standard Parking officials said they are reaching out to more businesses to try to expand this program.

A final parking tip:

A capitol police officer was kind enough to remind PennLive that the state-controlled parking areas around the Capitol complex are open to the public and free after 5 p.m. weekdays, and all day on the weekends.

The areas are namely Commonwealth Avenue and parts of North Street, and the streets (North Drive and South Drive) that go back along the Finance and Forum buildings beside Soldier's Grove.

There are dozens of spaces involved here and it's a short walk from Restaurant Row.

This does not include the garages, which are reserved for badge-holders.

UPDATE: This story was updated to include information about validations.

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